Ariel took the package. It was slightly heavy and felt hard to the touch, making it impossible to tell what was inside.
"This is?"
"I'd like to ask you to deliver this to an old friend of mine."
Moore's expression became serious.
"He lives in the forest just outside Lavaridge Town."
He specifically instructed,
"It's best if you go at night. That old friend of mine has a bit of an eccentric personality; he's basically never home in the morning or afternoon, and can only be found at night."
Night? Forest? An eccentric old friend?
The combination of these words piqued a hint of curiosity in Ariel's heart.
However, he didn't ask further. It wasn't good to pry too much into other people's private matters.
"No problem, Old Man. This junior will definitely deliver it tonight."
Ariel agreed readily.
Since there was nothing to do until night, his daytime was completely free.
Ariel learned from Flannery that today happened to be Lavaridge Town's annual Hot Spring Festival.
A hundred years ago today, the ancestors of Lavaridge Town discovered the first hot spring here. Since then, this small town covered in volcanic ash gradually developed into the world-renowned hot spring resort it is today.
To celebrate this "blessing" from the earth, every year on this day, all the hot springs in town, large and small, are open to the public for free, and various celebrations are held on the streets, making it exceptionally lively.
"Our largest hot spring bathhouse in Lavaridge Town has the best scenery and top-tier water quality. You must go experience it!"
Flannery recommended enthusiastically.
Ariel gladly accepted.
Since coming to this world, he had been constantly on the move and fighting, his nerves always taut. It was indeed time to have a good relax.
Following Flannery's directions, Ariel quickly found the largest hot spring bathhouse in town.
It was a simple wooden building with a large "Yu" character Noren curtain hanging at the entrance. The air was filled with a faint, moist water vapor that wasn't pungent, but rather refreshing.
Passing through the porch with the Noren, a whole new world opened up inside.
Designed as a Japanese garden, there was a smooth pebble path underfoot, with lush green bamboo and neatly trimmed pines and cypresses planted on both sides. The sound of gurgling water came from deep within the courtyard, instantly calming one's mind.
Ariel changed into a Yukata and walked into the steaming bathhouse.
The huge open-air hot spring pool was built with natural rocks of various sizes. The spring water was crystal clear, with steam constantly rising from the surface, shrouding the surrounding scenery in a hazy mist.
He found a corner and slowly immersed his body into the warm spring water.
A warm current instantly enveloped his entire body, rushing from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, making him let out a sigh of comfort.
The fatigue of several days, both physical and mental, seemed to be slowly dissolved and washed away by the hot spring water at this moment.
His tight muscles gradually relaxed, and every pore was breathing comfortably.
Ariel leaned against a rock and closed his eyes, enjoying this rare peace.
His thoughts also relaxed and began to drift away.
The steam from the hot spring rose, dyeing everything around with a layer of hazy white veil.
Ariel leaned against the warm rock, comfortably closing his eyes and enjoying this moment of tranquility.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, a soft voice sounded beside him.
"Mr. Trainer, sorry to disturb you."
Ariel opened his eyes and saw a young girl in a uniform standing respectfully by the pool.
"We also have a dedicated hot spring for pokémon here. It's very beneficial for their physical recovery and state adjustment. Would you like to use it?"
A dedicated hot spring for Pokémon?
Ariel's heart stirred.
He had always believed in one principle: for Pokémon, keeping a string constantly taut wouldn't make it tougher, but would instead cause it to snap!
A balance of work and rest was the best way to become stronger.
"Alright, then I'll trouble you."
Having given an affirmative answer, Ariel didn't hesitate and took four Poké Balls from the device on his wrist.
With a light press, four red lights instantly popped out!
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
As the red light dissipated, four pokémon of different forms but equally powerful auras appeared before everyone's eyes.
A Krokorok with a flamboyant personality and a wild, arrogant curve at the corner of its mouth!
A Weavile with cold eyes, its sharp claws lightly scratching the rock, making a "zi-la" sound!
A Malamar whose body was levitating, the patterns on its eyes emitting an eerie light that made people afraid to look directly at it!
And a Frogadier with arms crossed, a calm posture, and eyes as sharp as knives!
As soon as the four pokémon appeared, an invisible sense of pressure instantly enveloped the entire bathhouse.
The Trainers who were laughing and talking earlier suddenly stopped.
The entire open-air bathhouse fell into an eerie silence.
Everyone's eyes converged on these four pokémon, their gazes filled with shock and horror.
This... what kind of lineup is this?
Krokorok, Weavile, Malamar... all Dark-type pokémon!
Every single one looked like trouble. That fierce aura emanating from their very bones made many pokémon present subconsciously shrink their necks and hide behind their Trainers.
The atmosphere in the bathhouse dropped to freezing point for a moment.
Several Trainers who were talking loudly just now didn't even dare to breathe heavily, for fear of attracting that Weavile's attention.
The Staff Member girl who was leading the way was even more stunned, her mouth slightly open and her mind blank.
She had worked here for several years and had seen at least eight hundred to a thousand Trainers.
Looking at Ariel's age, she subconsciously thought he was just a Newcomer Trainer who had just started his journey, carrying an Oddish or Poochyena.
But she never expected!
This harmless-looking young man actually possessed such terrifying strength!
These four pokémon, no matter which one it was, all emitted a powerful aura. A young man owning four such excellent pokémon at the same time?
This could no longer be described as a genius!
This was simply a monster!
The girl's breathing became a bit rapid, and the way she looked at Ariel completely changed.
From initial professional politeness, it turned into awe from the bottom of her heart.
After a brief silence, the crowd in the bathhouse seemed to come back to life.
"My god... that, that's a Weavile, right? A pokémon as fast as a phantom!"
"And that Krokorok, look at its expression, it's so arrogant. You can tell it's a leader-level one at a glance!"
"The most eerie one is that Malamar. I feel like if I look at it for one more second, my soul will be sucked in..."
Whispers broke out, but everyone deliberately lowered their voices, their eyes darting from time to time toward Ariel, who was resting with his eyes closed, filled with wariness.
Ariel naturally noticed the changes around him, but he didn't care.
He just said indifferently to the Staff Member who was still in a daze:
"You can take them now."
"Ah... yes! Yes! Sir!"
The Staff Member shuddered, snapped back to her senses, and hurriedly bowed in response, her attitude more than ten times more respectful than before.
She carefully walked in front of the four pokémon, her voice even trembling a little:
"Everyone... please follow me, this way please."
Krokorok gave her a disdainful glance, snorted, and started walking to follow her.
Weavile and Frogadier didn't say a word. Their figures flickered and disappeared from the spot, and when they reappeared, they were already behind Krokorok.
Only Malamar, before leaving, specifically scanned the Trainers present with those eerie eyes.
Those who were swept by its gaze felt their bodies stiffen as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, a chill rushing from the soles of their feet straight to their heads.
It wasn't until the figures of the four pokémon completely disappeared deep into the courtyard that the people in the bathhouse breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling as if they had just walked through the gates of hell.